Bulldogs vs Eels

The 13

Bulldogs: Chase Stanley.

Eels: Brad Takairangi, Kirisome Auva'a, Manu Ma'u.

Bench

Bulldogs: Sam Kasiano, Raymond Faitala-Mariner.

Eels: Kenny Edwards, Suaia Matagi, Peni Terepo.

Doc's Word

I'm keeping a close eye on the Kiwis search for a genuine centre and this game features two low key candidates who don't get a whole lot of #KiwiNRL loving. Chase Stanley has been solid ever since he replaced Brenko Lee earlier in the season and although his Bulldogs aren't exactly impressing this season, he can still state his case for World Cup selection. Eels centre Brad Takairangi has more attacking weapons than Stanley and he's playing in a slick team, so he's got the advantage. 

Watch out for Takairangi's offloading ability and need I remind y'all to pay attention to Manu Ma'u? He was the only Eels forward besides hooker Cameron King, to play 80 minutes last week and was brutal in averaging over 10m/carry down Parramatta's left edge.

Dragons vs Rabbitohs

The 13

Dragons: Jason Nightingale, Leeson Ah Mau.

Rabbitohs: Bryson Goodwin, Zane Musgrove.

Bench

Dragons: Russell Packer, Taane Milne.

Rabbitohs: Haters.

Doc's Word

The Rabbitohs are probably the most un-watch-able team in the NRL and their lack of #KiwiNRL funk only amplifies that. This week though we've got Zane Musgrove starting at prop, he replaces David Tyrell and will give the Bunnies a splash of mobility and footwork through the middle. The Dragons will know how to dismantle the Rabbitohs through the middle though and they have the weapons in Leeson Ah Mau's footwork and Russell Packer's aggression to plow through the Rabbitohs' middle in conjunction with Paul Vaughan and Jack de Belin; expect some big stats from the Dragons forwards.

Cowboys vs Storm

The 13

Cowboys: Antonio Winterstein, Te Maire Martin, Jason Taumalolo.

Storm: Jesse Bromwich.

Bench

Cowboys: Braden Uele, Kalyn Ponga.

Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich, Jahrome Hughes.

Doc's Word

With Jason Taumalolo coming up against the Bromwich bros and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, you'd best be prepared for plenty of power, footwork and offloads through the middle in this game. Taumalolo's a Kiwis certainty and Jesse Bromwich is scratched from selection, so keep tabs on what Kenny Bromwich and Asofa-Solomona offer, especially as they'll enter the arena around the same time as Coen Hess for the Cowboys.

Braden Uele made a sneaky appearance for the Cowboys last week and gave Taumalolo a 20-minute break. Uele rolled through 4 carries for 40m with a tackle bust in his NRL debut and while he's named on the extended bench this weekend, he's got Taumalolo's 22 carries for 224m to aim for and from a small sample size, Uele will be a key cog in a brutal Cowboys forward pack over the next few years. 

Jahrome Hughes is in the same spot as Uele having played last week but named on the extended bench this week. Hughes was fantastic last week for Melbourne and got some special praise from Cameron Smith after Hughes ran for 136m from 11 carries with 6 tackle busts and 2 line breaks, although with Billy Slater named at fullback and Ryley Jacks named to partner Cooper Cronk there's not much of an opening for Hughes. Don't overlook Hughes sneaking into the halves though as he's a capable half and is perhaps more dynamic running the footy than Jacks is.

Knights vs Warriors

The 13

Knights: Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Warriors: All but Blake Ayshford and Jacob Lillyman.

Bench

Knights: Danny Levi.

Warriors: Err one.

Doc's Word

All #KiwiNRL eyes should be fixed on Danny Levi who has lost his starting spot to Jamie Buhrer but looks super dynamic coming off the bench. Buhrer is a versatile forward who can shift to an edge or play as a middle forward when Levi comes on and as Levi doesn't have to absorb the opening 20 minutes, he's fresh to explode out of dummy half.

Titans vs Broncos

The 13

Titans: Kevin Proctor.

Broncos: Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima, Adam Blair, Alex Glenn.

Bench

Titans: Leivaha Pulu, Agnatius Paasi, Nathaniel Peteru, Paterika Vaivai.

Broncos: Benji Marshall, Herman Ese'ese, Jamayne Isaako.

Doc's Word

I'm going to write a separate thingy about the Kiwis halves situation so I won't speak too much on the Broncos here. Without Konrad Hurrell, Gold Coast are paddling against the tide and it's going to be interesting to see how they perform in Hurrell's absence as Hurrell provides much of their go-forward. They've got the tokos coming off their bench though in Leivaha Pulu and Agnatius Paasi, who along with Morgan Boyle give the Titans plenty of size and x-factor.

Sharks vs Raiders

The 13

Sharks: Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Fa'amanu Brown.

Raiders: Jordan Rapana.

Bench

Sharks: Sam Tagataese. 

Raiders: Joseph Tapine, Jeff Lima, Erin Clark.

Doc's Word

Joseph Tapine's stint on the Raiders left edge was short lived with Josh Papalii returning, so look for Tapine to come off the bench and play through the middle for Canberra. 

In returning to Aotearoa last week, Fa'amanu Brown was one of Cronulla's best before leaving the field early, putting Mason Lino in the shade. Brown has another opportunity this week and his combination with Chad Townsend suits Brown perfectly as Townsend controls the organisation and minor tasks, allowing Brown to play what he sees in front of him. Don't be surprised if Brown shines and puts Blake Austin in the shade this week.

Sea Eagles vs Roosters

The 13

Sea Eagles: Martin Taupau.

Roosters: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Isaac Liu.

Bench 

Sea Eagles: Lewis Brown.

Roosters: Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Doc's Word

My calculations have Joseph Manu lining up against Brian Kelly and while Manu has a size and footwork advantage, Kelly is lightning. This will provide Manu with a nice test of his defensive ability as Manly will through slick plays his way to test his decision making, as well as giving Kelly early ball to have a go at Manu one on one. The battle through the middle is going to be intense as well with Martin Taupau and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves battling for alpha-dawg status.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho was back to his best last week, but Isaac Liu is keeping Taukeiaho on the bench. The Otahuhu junior Liu was pretty damn impressive last week himself with 103m from just 8 carries with 3 tackle busts and he put in a healthy shift of 47 minutes. The rotation of Waerea-Hargreaves, Dylan Napa, Liu and Taukeiaho is capable of taking the Roosters deep into the finals and Liu's contribution can't be slept on.

Panthers vs Tigers

The 13

Panthers: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Corey Harawira-Naera, Moses Leota.

Tigers: Esan Marsters, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Tuimoala Lolohea, Matt McIlwrick, Elijah Taylor.

Bench

Panthers: Sione Katoa, James Fisher-Harris, Dean Whare, Sitaleki Akauola.

Tigers: Michael Chee-Kam, Josh Aloiai, Ava Seumanufagai.

Doc's Word

This is an absolute #KiwiNRL feast. The Watene-Zelezniak brothers will feature on oppsoing teams, although I don't think they'll line up against each other. Esan Marsters is going to be severely test by Waqa Blake and then we've got Corey Harawira-Naera possibly going up against Elijah Taylor out on the edge. Tuimoala Lolohea has been strong with Luke Brooks back at halfback and Brooks' control allows Lolohea to focus on his running game; Lolohea had 14 runs last week while Brooks had just 5, but Brooks kicked 12 times and Lolohea kicked just 3 times.

Ava Seumanufagai has found himself in a little spot of bother as he's now on the outer at the Tigers, which is fair given the Tigers don't have much to play for and Seumanufagai is moving to Cronulla next season. Don't expect Seumanufagai to feature too much for the rest of the season, especially when Tigers coach Ivan Cleary needs to give the likes of Alex Twal, Sauaso Sue and Michael Chee-Kam minutes.

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